Pallet tiering frame interlock device

ABSTRACT

A pallet tiering frame interlock device is disclosed for detachably connecting two non-identical frame sections in stable assembled relation on a pallet. The frame sections have pallet engaging feet and generally V-shaped horizontal top members connected at their apexes by a threaded locking pin, the latter being captive in one of the frame sections.

United States Patent [191 Skubic et a1.

[ 1 Dec. 10, 1974 1 PALLET TIERING FRAME INTERLOCK DEVICE [75]Inventors: Leroy F. Skubic, La Porte; Peter P.

Blozis, Michigan City, both of 1nd.

[731 Assignee: The Paltier Corporation, Michigan City, 1nd.

221 Filed: Jan. 25, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 220,608

[52] US. Cl. 108/55 [51] Int. Cl B65d 19/44 [58] Field of Search...108/51-58;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,492,113 12/1949 Rees151/69 2,828,933 5/1958 DePew et a1 108/55 2,853,114 9/1958 Barry 151/692,991,033 7/1961 108/53 3,137,336 6/1964 Wing l5l/4l.73

3,195,600 7/1965 Middleton, Jr. 151/69 3,257,974 6/1966 McMasters3,313,248 4/1967 Bayluk 108/53 3,472,303 lO/l958 Bread 151/69 3,476,16511/1969 Vaughn... 151/69 3,516,629 6/1970 Say 248/20 3,576,169 4/1971DePew 108/53 3,597,110 8/1971 Corsmeier 416/198 Primary Examiner-Paul R.Gilliam Assistant Examiner-G. O. Finch Attorney, Agent, or FirmWolfe,Hubbard, Leydig, Voit & Osann, Ltd.

[57] ABSTRACT A pallet tiering frame interlock device is disclosed fordetachably connecting two non-identical frame sections in stableassembled relation on a pallet. The frame sections have pallet engagingfeet and generally V-shaped horizontal top members connected at theirapexes by a threaded locking pin, the latter being captive in one of theframe sections.

8 Claims 11 Drawing Figures PALLET TIERING FRAME INTERLOCK DEVICEDESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to pallettiering frames and, more particularly, to a pallet frame interlockdevice for detachably connecting two non-identical frame sections inassembled relation on a pallet in a manner which results in improvedstability and load bearing capacity.

One object of the present invention is to provide a pallet tiering frameinterlock device of the above character which will facilitate easyassembly and disassembly of the two frame sections on a pallet by oneman without necessity for twisting one such section relative to theother.

Another object is to provide a device as above set forth wherein themating frame sections cannot assume their fully assembled position onthe pallet unless the interlock device is fully engaged.

A further object is to provide a device of the foregoing type adapted tojoin said frame sections on the pallet in a positive, stable manner soas to resist any tendency to become disengaged during handling or byimpact with a fork lift truck.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription, taken together with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative pallet tiering frameexemplifying the present invention and mounted'on a pallet ofconventional form.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view, partially in section, ofthe components of the interlocking device of the pallet tiering frame ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the components of theinterlocking device of FIG. 1 in fully assembled relation.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of one portion of theinterlocking device of FIG. 2, taken from the plane indicated by theline 4-4.

FIG. 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the portion shownin FIG. 4, taken in the plane of the line 5-5.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are sequential sectional views taken longitudinally ofthe locking pin and detailing the manner of its retention in a framemember.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another form of pallet tiering framealso exemplifying the invention and mounted on a conventional pallet.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view, partly in section, of thecomponents of the interlocking device as embodied in the pallet tieringframe shown in FIG.

cations and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodimentshave been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail.It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limitthe is there exemplified in a frame interlock device 10 incorporatedinto a pallet tiering frame 11 mounted on pallet 12 of conventionalform, The frame II is in this instance fabricated of hollow tubularstock and comprises two non-identical sections l4, l5 detachablyconnected and held in assembled relation on the pallet by the interlockdevice 10. Each such frame section comprises a pair of upright posts 16having pallet engaging feet 18 at their lower ends and connected attheir upper ends by a generally V-shaped top member which overlies thepallet when the frame is assembled thereon. The section 14 thuscomprises a pair of posts 16, pallet engaging feet 18 and a 'top member19 welded or otherwise rigidly fixed to the tops of the posts 16. Thesection 15 comprises a pair of posts 16, pallet engaging feet 18 and atop member 20 similarly fixed to the tops of the posts 16. The frame 11happens in this case to be of the corner post type but it may, ofcourse, be fashioned in modified form for center post or intermediatepost engagement with the pallet.

The frame 11 is adapted to be detachably but positively connected to thepallet 12. For this purpose, each of the pallet engaging feet 18(FIG. 1) is formed with a depending flange 21 which engages the end ofits associated deckboard and the outer stringer of the pallet. Each foot18 also has a somewhat narrower depending flange 22 which engages theouter edge of the deckboard. The flange 22 has an in-turned finger whichextends under the deckboard and in proximity to the inside face of theouter stringer. A releasable locking element 24 on the foot 18 serves toengage the inneredge of the deckboard. By reason of this arrangement,the foot 18 is restrained against disengagement from the pallet in ahorizontal or vertical direction.

Provision is made, through the interlock 10, for detachably but rigidlysecuring the frame sections l4, 15 in assembled relation on the pallet12. In furtherance of such objective, a locking pin 25 (FIGS. 2, 3, 6-8)is joumaled in aligned bearing apertures 26, 27 in one of the topmembers, in this case the top member 20 of the frame section 15. The pinis situatedon an axis lying in the general plane of the top member andprojects outwardly from the apex of the member 20, being mounted forlimited axial movement in the bearing apertures 26, 27. The outwardlyprojecting end portion of the pin 25 is formed with a relatively coarsescrew thread 28, in this case of the Acme configuration. The oppositeend portion of the pin .25 projects slightly to the rear of the member20 and has a turning knob 29 welded or otherwise rigidly securedthereto.

In order to preclude loss of the locking pin 25 during I handling of theframe sections, and to save time in as-' sembling the frame on a pallet,the locking pin 25 is held captive in the member 20 and restrainedagainst axial withdrawal therefrom. This is accomplished by fashioningthe locking pin 25 with a generally radial abutment 30 within the hollowtubular frame member 20 (FIGS. 2, 3, 6-8). The abutment 30 projectssubstantially beyond the diameter of the bearing apertures 26, 27 in theframe member 20 and the dimensions are such as to permit free rotationaland limited axial movement of the locking pin 25 within the frame member20. The abutment 30 is spaced axially from the knob 29 by a distancecorresponding to the amount of end play desired for the pin 25.

Referring more specifically to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, it will be noted thatthe abutment 30 in this instance happens to be in the form of a taperedpin which is installed from the exterior of the frame member with thelocking pin resting in the bearing apertures 26, 27. The abutment pin ismounted in a bore 30a skewed with respect to the longitudinal axis ofthe locking pin 25. This permits the pin 30 to be inserted into the bore30a from the exterior of the frame member 20 and driven partiallytherethrough so that its leading end projects substantially beyond thediameter of the locking pin 25, as shown in FIG. 8. In this condition,the locking pin 25 may be freely rotated and moved axially within thelimits determined by engagement of the projecting end of the pin 30 withthe interior wall of the frame member 20.

With the construction just described, replacement of a locking pin 25 inthe event of damage thereto is a simple matter. This may be done bygrasping the knob 29, pulling pin axially outward, and turning thelocking pin until the outermost end of the abutment pin 30 is exposed.The pin 30 may then be driven completely through the bore 30a by meansof a punch or drift pin and the locking pin 25, as well as thedisengaged pin 30, may then be completely removed from the frame member20. Installation of a new locking pin may be effected by reversing theforegoing procedure.

For cooperatively receiving the outwardly projecting locking pin 25, theother top member 19 has aligned receiving apertures 31, 32 formed at itsapex on an axis projecting outwardly therefrom in the general plane ofthe member 19. A fixed retainer nut 34 is rigidly secured on the member19 with its threaded opening 35 in concentric relation with thereceiving aperture 32. The nut 34 in this case happens to be formed as arelatively heavy stamped sheet metal plate of slightly arcuate crosssection and is welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the member 19. Thenut 34 is provided with a single thread 36 which is struck outwardlyfrom the material of the nut and defines a spiralshaped element with apitch corresponding to that of the thread 28 on the pin 25. Accordingly,when the member 19 and 20 are brought together and the pin 25 insertedthrough the receiving apertures 31 and 32 until its threaded end engagesthe nut 34, the members 19, 20 may be secured together by turning theknob 29 and threading the pin 25 into the nut 34. With progressiveturning of the knob 29, eventually the skirt of the knob 29 engages theconcave side of the member 20, bringing the apexes of the members 19, 20snugly together. By use of a series of scallops 38 on the skirt of theknob 29, frictional engagement takes place between the latter and theconcave side of the member 20 minimizing the tendency of the knob andpin to work loose.

With the foregoing arrangement, the frame 11 may be quickly and easilyassembled on the pallet by one man without necessity for twisting oneframe section relative to the other. This is accomplished by firstmounting one frame section, in this instance the section 14, on thepallet with the member 19 projecting generally horizontally over thecenter of the pallet. In the course of such action, it may be necessaryto spring the lower ends of the posts 16 apart slightly in a directionparallel to the underlying pallet stringer so as to be certain that theplates 18 abut solidly with the tops of the deckboards. The lower endsof the posts 16 are then pulled toward one another in the oppositedirection and the locking elements 24 actuated to retain them in place.The frame section 15 is next placed in its normal attitude in proximityto the section 14. The projecting end of the locking pin 25 is insertedinto the receiving apertures 31, 32 and pushed axially until thethreaded portion of the pin 25 is accosted by the nut 34. The palletengaging feet 18 of the frame section 15 are brought into engagementwith the associated pallet deckboards in the manner just described forthe frame section 14. The turning knob 29 is then ortated by hand toengage the thread 28 of pin 25 in the nut 34 and such ortation iscontinued until the opposed apexes of the members 19 and 20 are drawn upinto snug relation with each other. At this point, the assembled frame11 is securely mounted on the pallet and in such condition is highlystable and well adapted to support heavy superimposed loads while at thesame time resisting disengagement due to ordinary handling or accidentalimpacts. Disassembly may be carried out by reversing the procedure justdescribed.

Turning next to FIGS. 9 and 10, there is shown another form of pallettiering frame 40 have an interlock 41 also embodying the presentinvention. In this instance, the frame 40 happends to be of the centerpost type and is mounted on a conventional pallet 42 with its feetdisposed intermediate, rather than at, the pallet corners. The frame 40comprises two non-identical sections 44, 45 each having a pair ofupright posts with pallet engaging feet and a generally V-shaped topmember. The section 44 includes top member 46, posts 48, one havingpallet engaging foot 49 and the other pallet engaging foot 50. Thesection 45 includes top member 51, posts 48, one having a foot 49 andthe other a foot 50. Due to the fact that the frame 40 is of thesocalled center post type, its top members 46, 51 each have armsdisposed at approximately to each other and a relatively short bluntapex portion engaged by the locking member 41.

The pallet engaging feet 49 are each adapted to overlie the ends of theenter stringer of the pallet. Each such foot 49 is formed at itsoutborad end with a pair of spaced apaprt depending flanges 52 whichstraddle the center stringer and have in-tumed fingers underlying thedeckboard. At its opposite end, each foot 49 is provided with adepending flange 54 adapted to engage the inner edge of the deckboard.Each pallet engaging foot 50 is formed with a large depending flange 55which engages the adjacent ends of the two central deckboards and aportion of the outer face of the underlying outer stringer. The innerportion of the foot 50 may be provided with a locking member 56 or afixed flange projecting downwardly. between the two central deckboardsand adapted to engage the inner face of the associated outer stringer.

The interlocking device 41 is mounted at the apexes of the top members46, 51 as shown in FIG. 8 and it operates in a manner similar to that ofthe locking device 10 to detachably secure frame sections 44, 45 inassembled relation on the pallet 42. Since a number of the individualparts of the interlocking device 41 are identical to those of the device10, like parts in both devices are given the same reference numerals.

Referring more specifically to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, it will be notedthat the principal difference between the devices and 41 is the mannerin which the locking pin 25 is held captive in the frame member. In thisinstance, it is accomplished by forming a lateral offset 57 in the pin25 as by striking the latter in a punch press prior to attachment of theturning knob 29. In such condition, the rearward end of the pin may beinserted through the bearing aperture 27 and the pin manipulated untilthe offset 57 also passes through the aperture 27. The rearward end ofthe pin 25 is then pushed through the bearing aperture 26 and the knob29 attached. The offset 57 is spaced axially from the knob 29 by adistance corresponding to the amount of end play desired of the pin 25.

To assemble the frame 40 on the pallet, the frame section 44 is firstmounted in place so that its feet, 50 engge the deckboards. The framesctio 45 is then brought toward the ston 44 and the locking pin of thedevice 41 is inserted in the receiving apertures of the member 46. Thefeet 49,50 of the frame section 45 are then brought into engagement withthe pallet and the locking pin 25 is tightened by means of the turningknob 29. This brings the top members 46, 51 into snug engagement attheir apexes and the scalloped skirt of the member 29 into engagementwith the concave side of the member 51 (FIG. 10). The frame is thus instable, assembled condition on the pallet and ready for supporting heavysuper-imposed loads. Disassembly may, of course, be effected byreversing the foregoing procedure.

Turning now to FIG. 13, there is shown a modified form of locking device58 also embodying the invention and very similar in operation to thedevices 10 and 41. In this case, the device 58 utilizes a differentrestraining means for holding the locking pin 59 captive in itsassociated top frame member. This is accomplished by forming the innerend portion 60 of the locking pin of reduced diameter andutilizing acorrespondingly reduced diameter bearing aperture 61. The rearward endof the reduced diameter portion 60 of the pin has a turning knob 29secured thereto in suitably spaced relation to a shoulder 62 on thelocking pin to define the desired amount of end play. Operation of thedevice 58 is otherwise the same as that of the interlocking devices 10and 41.

FIG. 14 shows an alternate form of nut member applicable to either orboth of the interlocking devices 10, 41. In this instance, the thread 36which engages the thread 28 of the locking pin is formed directly in theside wall of the frame member. The necessity for a separately mountednut member is thereby eliminated. A governing factor in the use of thismodification is the wall thickness of the frame member in a giveninstallation compared with the sizeof the thread 28.

What is claimed is:

1. In a pallet tiering frame comprising a pair of nonidentical framesections each defined by a pair of upright posts with pallet engagingfeet and an integrally connected generally horizontal top member ofsubstantially V-shaped form, an interlock device comprising. incombination,

a. a locking pin journalled in alined bearing apertures in one said topmember and projecting longitudinally from the apex of said top member inthe general plane thereof;

b. means on said locking pin intermediate the ends thereof said betweensaid top member apertures for holding said locking pin captive in saidone top member and restraining said pin against axial with drawaltherefrom;

c. means defining a screw thread on the projecting end portion of saidlocking pin;

d. a turning knob fixed to the opposite end of said locking pin forrotating the same;

e. menas defining a pair of alined receiving apertures in the other oneof said top members at the apex thereof and on an axis lying in thegeneral plane thereof for receiving the projecting end of said lockingpin; and a stamped nut member integral with said other one of said topmembers adjacent and concentric with the aperture on the concave side ofsaid top member for threadably engaging said locking pin to releasablysecure said frame sections together when said frame members areassembled on a pallet and sai locking pin has been inserted through saidalined receiving apertures of said other top member.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said nut member is formed asa separately attached seet metal stamping, and said retaining meansprmits limited axial movement of said locking pin relative to said onetop member.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said nut member is formedfrom an integral part of the wall of said other top member.

4. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking pin restrainingmeans comprises a lateral abutment formed as a longitudinally skewed pinprojecting through and substantially beyond the diameter of the lockingpin.

5. A device as set forth in claim 4 wherien said skewed pin id disposedat an actue angle to the longitudinal axis of the locking pin so as topermit installation of siad skewed pin from the exterior of said one topmember.

6. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking pin restrainingmeans comprises a lateral offset portion formed in said locking pin inaxially spaced relation to said turning knob.

7. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said turning knob has ascalloped skirt for frictionally engaging said first top member.

8. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking pin restrainingmeans comprises a shoulder and a stem of lesser diameter which projectsthrough the wall of said one top memeber and engages said knob on theexterior thereof.

1. In a pallet tiering frame comprising a pair of non-identical framesections each defined by a pair of upright posts with pallet engagingfeet and an integrally connected generally horizontal top member ofsubstantially V-shaped form, an interlock device comprising, incombination, a. a locking pin journalled in alined bearing apertures inone said top member and projecting longitudinally from the apex of saidtop member in the general plane thereof; b. means on said locking pinintermediate the ends thereof said between said top member apertures forholding said locking pin captive in said one top member and restrainingsaid pin against axial withdrawal therefrom; c. means defining a screwthread on the projecting end portion of said locking pin; d. a turningknob fixed to the opposite end of said locking pin for rotating thesame; e. menas defining a pair of alined receiving apertures in theother one of said top members at the apex thereof and on an axis lyingin the general plane thereof for receiving the projecting end of saidlocking pin; and f. a stamped nut member integral with said other one ofsaid top members adjacent and concentric with the aperture on theconcave side of said top member for threadably engaging said locking pinto releasably secure said frame sections together when said framemembers are assembled on a pallet and sai locking pin has been insertedthrough said alined receiving apertures of said other top member.
 2. Adevice as set forth in claim 1 wherein said nut member is formed as aseparately attached seet metal stamping, and said retaining means prmitslimited axial movement of said locking pin relative to said one topmember.
 3. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said nut member isformed from an integral part of the wall of said other top member.
 4. Adevice as set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking pin restrainingmeans comprises a lateral abutment formed as a longitudinally skewed pinprojecting through and substantially beyond the diameter of the lockingpin.
 5. A device as set forth in claim 4 wherien said skewed pin iddisposed at an actue angle to the longitudinal axis of the locking pinso as to permit installation of siad skewed pin from the exterior ofsaid one top member.
 6. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidlocking pin restraining means comprises a lateral offset portion formedin said locking pin in axially spaced relation to said turning knob. 7.A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said turning knob has ascalloped skirt for frictionally engaging said first top member.
 8. Adevice as set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking pin restrainingmeans comprises a shoulder and a stem of lesser diameter which projectsthrough the wall of said one top memeber and engages said knob on theexterior thereof.